Heater



L. W. CLAYBOURN.

HEATER.,

vAPPLICATION man MAR.9.19\7.

1,318,969. Patented 001;. 14,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

ff M WMZ/,bl

UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE.

LESLIE W. CLAYBOURN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

HEATER.

Application filed. March 9, 1917.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, LESLIE WV. CLAYBOURN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heaters, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to heaters of solids in plate or sheet form, and isespecially adapted for heating plates having a comparatively low fusingpoint, or which comprise parts having a low fusing point, and isexemplified as employed in heating printing plates.

I have found that in certain character of work it is desirable to heatthe solid, usually in plate or sheet form, to such degree of tem.-perature as to be near the fusing point of the material of which thesolid or a part of the same is composed, but to avoid liquefaotion ofthe same, and it may be instanced that it is desirable to heat thematerial sufficiently to render the mass of the material spongy, butavoid liquefaction of the same in whole or in part.

Instancing the use of the invention it may be stated that it may beemployed in heating printing plates, and as an illustration of thepurpose of the invention, it may be stated that printing plates may beconstructed to comprise a printing-shell on which the printing lines areformed, this,

printing-shell usually being electrodepositcd metal, such as copper,which has a fusing point of 1900 degrees Fahrenheit, deposited on thematrix in electro-plating, and a backing on which the printing shell issupported. The backing is usually fixed to the printingshell by beingpoured thereon in melted condition.

This backing may, for example, be a mixture or composition of lead, tinand anti-A mony, in the proportion of ninety pounds .of lead te fivepounds each of tin and antimony, the fusing point of the mixture orcomposition being approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It may beinstanced as an example but not as a limitation, that it is desirable tosubject the printing plate to a temperature o'f approximately 500degrees Fahrenheit for a duration of ra given time, which may be.instanced as from five to seven minutes, to reduce the backing materialof the printing plate `to the desired Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 14, 1919.

Serial No. 153,733.

state for operation thereon, instanced as a spongy or compressiblecondition of the backing material.

The heater herein shown and described and claimed is shown and describedin copending applications Serial No. 145,881, iiled February 1, 1917,Serial No. 153,731, filed March 9, 1917, and Serial No. 153,732, iiledMarch 9, 1917, for method of curving the printing plates, forimprovements in machine for curving printing plates, and forimprovements in curved printing plates.

Uses to which the heater may be applied are shown and described in saidcopending applications, to which reference is made.

The improved heater of the present invention may be employed for heatingsolid plates of metal, gutta percha, or other substances, orcompositions, which when cool are solids and are of such nature as toliquefy upon the application of excessive heat.

It is the object of the invention to provide means whereby the heat istransmitted to the body being heated by means of a molten bath ofmaterial of approximately the composition or heating properties of thematerial of the body being heated, further, to transmit the heat of themolten bath through an intermediate support for the body being heated gfurther, to provide means whereby the plate being heated is pressedtoward its support 'for aiding in uniform distribution of the heatthroughout the sheet, and, further, to rprovide means whereby to adjustthe presser devices, and the invention will be further readilyunderstood from the following description and claims, and from thedrawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an exemplified machine embodyingthe invention.

Fig. 2 is a. plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the same, partly broken away, showing thegaging and presser means in raised positions.

Fig. 4: is an enlarged cross-section of the same taken on the line a-flof Fig. 2, showing the gaging and presser means in depressed positions.

Fig. 5 is an enlargedvertical longitudinal section of the exemplifieddevice, taken on the line 5 5 of F 2; and,

Fig. G is a detail in horizontal section, taken on the line 6 6 of Fig.5, showing the Cil means for supporting the table in the melting pot.

The body to be heated is exemplified as a iat printing plate 21 whichcom-prises -a printing shell 23 and a backing 24:, the printing shellhaving a printing surface on its outer face. The printing-shell and thebacking may be of the materials hereinbetore mentioned, or of othermaterials, or the object may be a ditl'erent object than a. printingplate `but preferably of sheet form.

The margins of the printing plate are exempliiied as provided withbearers 25, 26, separated from 4the printing surface by grooves 27, 28,the bearers 25 being exemplitied as at the ends of the printing platerepresenting its top and bottom when in the printing press, the bearers26 being exempliied as the side bearers.

3l represents a table which serves as a support for the printing plateand is arranged to be heated for transmitting its heat to the printingplate for heating the latter.

It has been found ditlieult in practice heretofore to uniformly` heatplates.

In the present invention the table is exemplified as partially immersedin a bath 32 in a melting pot 33, suitable means being provided. forheating the pot, shown as gas burners formed, for instance, as per--forated pipes under the pot, fed from a suitable source otsupply andcontrolled by valves 35 discharging into gas and air mixers 36 forregulating the temperature applied to the melting pot.

The table is suitably supported in the pot. The supporting means may,for instance, be lugs 38 extending upwardly from the bottom 39 of thepot. Set-bolts 40 are in threaded apertures '4:1 in the walls 42 of thepot, `fixed in adjusted positions by j ain-nuts 43. The inner ends ofthe set-bolts dctermine the lateral and lengthwise positions of thetable in the pot. The pot may be a part of the main frame dat of themachine which may comprise a suitable pedestal a5 or other base Iforsupporting thek same either on a bench or on the Hoor, as may bedesired.

The bath 32 is preferably of a material which is normally a solid, andis a liquid when heated to a higher temperature than the desiredtemperature of the material being heated. The desired temperature of themater'al beingheated is such that when said material is subjected to thetemperature for a given period,`the same is rendered spongy, or ot acondition hereinbefore mentioned. In the ease of a printing plate thisdesirable condition of the backing is a spongy condition, or conditionto render the backing readily flowable under pressure with relation tothe printing shell. The material of the bath preferably has a fusingpoint somewhat similar to the fusing point of' said material beingtreated, and is rendered fluid by the heat to which the melting pot issubjected.

This bath may be exempliiied as a mixture having a composition similarto the composition oi the backing ot' a printing plate and may, forexample, be a mixture of lead, tin and antimony in the proportionapproximately of ninety pounds ot lead to tive pounds each oi tin andantimony, the fusing poi-nt of the mixture being approximately 600degrees Fahrenheit.

The printing plate may have its printing surface presented toward thetable. It desired, a flexible band 5l, which may be of cold rolledlsteel, is interposed between the plate and the table and acts as acarrier for the plate, on which, for instance, the plate may besupported during subsequent operation, oren which the plate may beconveyed to another mechanism, and, if desired turther, a cushioninglayer 52, which may be a sheet of paper, may be interposed between theflexible band and the printing plate tor protecting the printing lines.

The band is suitably positioned with relation to the plate, as -byhaving one of its edges 53 contact pins 54; adjustably placed inapertures 55 in the table, one ot the ends 56 oit' the Yband contactinga pin 57 adjustably placed in apertures 58 in the table.

Means are desirably provided for adjusting the position of the plateupon the band. The plate has preferably had its edges trimmed previousto having the heater act thereon, so that the end edges and the sideedges of the plate are perpendicular to each other, and respectivelyAparallel with and perpendicular to the printing lines upon the plate.

The band is provided with a mark 6l and the plate is provided with amark 62 which coincides with its median line. The flexible band havingbeen adjusted on the table so that its mark 61 will be approximately inthe lengthwise middle of the table and the mark 62 of the plate havingbeen brought in registry with the mark 6l, will locate the plate insubstantially the middle of the length of the table.

Gages 7l are provided for the sdeedges of the plate, the gages beingadjustable lengthwise on arms 72 and held in adjusted positions byset-screws 73, the arms 72 being movable laterally and swingable ontheir bearings 74 on a rod 75 supported in brackets 7 6 extending fromthe trame of the machine.V The Varms are held in down position bylatches 77 arranged to engage a holdingbar 7 8 on the frame. The armsare counterweighted by counterweigh-ts 79 for raising the arms away fromthe plate when the latches 77 are released. The arms are arranged to bedepressed by a handle 80.

In positioning the plate, the plate is laid on the band with the mark 62thereon in registry with the mark 61 on the band. The arms 72 arebrought downwardly and latched so as to place the gages above the bandand the gages adjusted so as to be equidistant from the side edges ofthe table and for placing the plate in substantially the middle in widthot the table. The side edge of the plate is then guided against thegages.

Presser means are desirably provided for pressing the plate at variouspoints thereon toward the table and for subjecting the plate to pressureduring application of the heat.

buch presser means are exemplified as comprising presser-feet 8ladjustable lengthwise on arms 82 and held in adjusted position byset-screws 83. The arms are shiftable on their bearings 84 laterally onthe rod 75 and are arranged to rock on said rod. The arms andpresser-feet are preferably so adjusted that the presser-feet whendepressed will rest upon the rear faces of the bearers 25, 26, of theplate being heated. The arms are held in down position by means oflatches S7 arranged to engage the holding-bar 78. The arms 82 arearranged to be automatically raised away from the plate bycounterweights 89 which automatically act to raise the arms when thelatches 87 are released.

Then a plate of large area is operated on it is advisable to provideadditional presser elements acting upon interior portions of the platewithin the margin on which the presser feet y81 coact. Such additionalpresser elements are preferably of greater area than the presser-feet 81in order to contact a greater area of the backing oit' the plate beingheated to limit indentation of the same when the plate is in heatedcondition. These latter presser means may, for instance, bepresser-shoes 91 adjustable on an arm 92 and held in adjusted positionson the arm by set-screws 93, the arm being adjustable on its bearing 94lengthwise of the rod 75, and arranged to swing on said bearing on saidrod.y The arm is-provided with a latch 97 which coacts with theholding-bar- 7 8 for holding the arm in down position. The arm 92 isprovided with a counter-weight 99 for automatically rasing said arm awayfrom the plate being heated.

The arms 72 and the arms 82, 92, are arranged to be independently moved.The arms 72 are preferably raised as soon as the pressure by the pressermeans has been applied to the plate.

Uniform transmission of heat from the molten bath to the table andthrough the flexible band and cushioning layer, when the latter areemployed, to the plate being heated, is insured, while observation ofthe condition of the plate is readily permitted, as the presser-feetrest on the plate in separated relations. When the plate is in properheated condition, the latches 87, 97, are released, and the arms 82, 92,raised, so as to release the plate, which can then be further operatedon or, if desired, removed from the heater, using the band as a carryingmedium.

By means of the invention the heating of the rplate is accuratelyaccomplished uniformly throughout the plate, so as to render all itsyparts of uniform texture or condition and avoids excess heating of theplate in spots and insuliicient heating in other spots. and, forexample, renders all the parts of the plate equally spongy or equallyflowable under pressure, or other desired condition.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a heater of the character described, the combination of a table, abath which is normally ay solid in which said table is received with theupper surface of said table outside said bath, a melting pot in whichsaid bath is locatedmeans for heating said pot, and spaced-apart meansfor pressing a plate to be heated toward said table for conveying heatto said plate while being pressed.

2. In aheater of the character described, the combination of a table, abath which is normally a solid' in which said table is received with theupper surface of said table outside said bath, a melting pot in whichsaid bath islocated, means for heating said pot, means for positioning aplate to be heated above said table, and spacedapart means for pressingsaid plate toward said table, and constructed and arranged for conveyingheat to said plate through said .table and limiting the degree of saidheat.

8. In a heater of the character described, the combination of a table, aflexible carrier band arranged to be received thereon and for supportinga plate to be heated, a bath which is normally a solid in which saidtable is received, a melting pot in which said bath is located, meansfor heating said pot, and adjustable means tor positioning said exilblecarrier band on said table.

4.. In a heater of the character.described, the combination of a table,a flexible band arranged te be received thereon and for supporting aplate to be heated, means for heating said table, and means forpositioning said flexible band on said table, said flexible bandprovided with positioning means for the plate to be heated.

5. In a heater oi' the character described, the combination of a table,means for heating said table, locating gages for the plate to be heated,and means for adjustably positioning said gages above said table forgaging said plate 6. In a heater of the character described, thecombination of a table, means for heating said table, gages for theplate to be heated CIT adjustable above said table for positioning saidplate, and adjustable presser-means above said table for pressing said.plate to be heated toward said table.

7. In a heater of the character descri ed, the combination of `a table,means for heating said table, gages for the plate to be heatedadjustable above said table for positioning said plate, adjustablepresser-means above said `table 'forpressing said plate to be heatedtoward said table, and means for in.- dependently moving said gages andpresserieans away from the position ot' the plate.

8. In yheater of the character described, the combination of a table,means for heating said table, a flexible band, means between saidflexible band and table for `determining the position of said flexibleband with relation to said table, and adjustable gages having reactionwith the plate adjustable above said table.

.9. Ina heater of .the character described, the combination of a table,means for heatto said table, gaging means and presser means respectivelyadjustably positioned on said arms, and means for moving said armstoward and from said table, whereby to gage the position of the plateabove said table and for pressino` said plate toward said table.

10. In a heater of the character described, the Combination oit a table,means for heating said table, arms pivoted with relation to said table,gaging means and presser means respectively adj ustably positioned onsaid arms, and means for moving said arms toward and from said table,whereby to gage the position off-the plate above said table and forpressing said plate toward said table, said arms for said gagin meansand presser means respectively being independently movable toward andfrom said table.

ll. In a heaterA for printing plates, the combination of a table, aflexible carrierband thereon on which the plate to'be heated is arrangedto be received, a bath which is normally a solid in which said table ispartially immersed, heating means for said bath for melting the same,and spaced-apart presser-feet for pressing said plate and said flexiblecarrier-band toward said table.

l2. In a heater for printing plates, the combination of a table, aflexible carrierband thereon on which the plate to be heated is arrangedto be received and supported when in near-fused condition, a bath whichis normally a solid in which said table is partially immersed, heatingmeans for said bath for melting the same, and spaced-apart means forpressing the plate and said fusible ing said table, arms pivoted withrelation' carrier-band toward said table yduring the heating of saidplate.

13. In a heater for printing plates, the combination of a supportarranged for receiving a .printing plate, means for heating saidsupport, and pressing means compris-V ing adjustable presser-partsadjustable Crosswise oi' said support for pressing said printing platetoward said support during the heating of said printing plate.

14. In a heater for printing plates, the combination with a yprintingplate having bearers at its edges, a support for the same, means .forheating said support, and presser means tor vpressing said .printingplate toward-said support, said presser means comp 1ising presser-partsadjustable for pressing upon said bearers of said printing plate.

l5. In a heater for printing plates, the combination of a support forthe printing plate, means for heating said support, arms pivoted withrelation to said pot, adjustable presser-parts on said arms for pressingthe printing plate toward said support, latches tor said arms forholding said presser-parts in pressing position, and means for4automatically raising said arms vupon release of said latches.

1G. In a heat-er for printing plates having a backing of a givenmaterial which is normally a solid, thecombination of a support for theplate, a bath which is normally a solid having substantially the sameheating properties as said given material, means for pressing' saidprinting plate toward said support, and means for melting said bath,whereby heat of said bath is transferred to said backing oi saidprinting plate through said support for imparting uniform heat to saidbacking andeontrolling the near-fused condition of said plate throughoutthe area of said backing.

1ST. In a heater for 4printing plates having edge-bearers, a supportlfor the plate, a bath which is normallya solid receiving said support,means for heating said bath, presserfeet arranged to coact with vsaidbearers, means for adjusting said presser-feet crosswiseof said support,and additional rpressereet arranged to act on the plate between saidbearers, said presser-feet being spaced apart and acting on said platewhile the same is being heated by means of said bath.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

LESLIE W. CLAYBOURN.

lVitnesses LAWRENCE J. WADE, ANNA M. RADTKE.

Copies oftliis patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissionerof Patents. Washington, D. C.

